Cigarette having configured lighting end

ABSTRACT

The lighting end or tip of the smoking article is configured in such a manner that the entire front or upstream face thereof does not lie in a plane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. For example, at least a portion of the front face of the smoking article lies in a plane (e.g., a generally flat plane) that is positioned about 40° to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis of that smoking article. As such, the overall nature or character of the mainstream aerosol generated by a smoking article can be altered. This shape may include an ellipse, or may include a first section in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a second section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the face of the lighting end may have a shape such that its surface area is greater than the cross-sectional area of the smoking article.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent document is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/868,264 filed Oct. 5, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to products made or derived from tobacco,or that otherwise incorporate tobacco, and are intended for humanconsumption. Aspects of the present invention are directed to smokingarticles such as cigarettes and, more particularly, to cigarettes havingconfigured lighting ends.

BACKGROUND

Popular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a substantiallycylindrical rod shaped structure and include a charge, roll, or columnof smokable material such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form)surrounded by a paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called “smokable rod”or “tobacco rod.” Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter elementaligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, afilter element comprises cellulose acetate tow plasticized usingtriacetin, and the tow is circumscribed by a paper material known as“plug wrap.” A cigarette can incorporate a filter element havingmultiple segments, and one of those segments may include activatedcharcoal particles. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,186 to Veluz;PCT Pub. No. WO 2006/064371 to Banerjee; and U.S. Pat. App. Pub No.2007/0056600 to Coleman III, et al.; each of which is incorporatedherein by reference. Typically, the filter element is attached to oneend of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as“tipping paper,” in order to provide a so-called “filtered cigarette.”

It also has become desirable to perforate the tipping material and plugwrap, in order to provide dilution of drawn mainstream smoke withambient air. Descriptions of cigarettes and the various componentsthereof are set forth Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology,Davis et al. (Eds.) (1999) and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2008/0245377 toMarshall et al. Normally, a generally cylindrical or rod-shaped smokingarticle, such as a cigarette, has a generally circular cross-sectionalshape, and each of the lighting tip and mouth end faces thereof areoriented virtually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thatcigarette. A cigarette typically is employed by a smoker by lighting oneend thereof and burning the tobacco rod. The smoker then receivesmainstream aerosol (e.g., smoke) into his/her mouth by drawing on theopposite end (e.g., the filter or mouth end) of the cigarette.

Various attempts to alter various visual attributes of cigarettes havebeen proposed. For example, there have been attempts to alter the colorof the wrapping materials that provide the wrapping material of thetobacco rod (e.g., cigarettes marketed under the trade name “More” byR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company include cigarette rod wrapping papersexhibiting a brown color) and tipping materials used to attach thetobacco rod to the filter element (e.g., tipping materials have beenprinted or otherwise formed so as to include a “cork” appearance and/orto include at least one circumscribing ring). In addition, there havebeen attempts to alter the general appearance of the filter elements ofcigarettes. See, for example, the types of cigarette filter elementformats, configurations and designs set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,396,733 to Allseits et al.; 3,596,663 to Schultz; 4,281,671 to Byrne;4,508,525 to Berger; 4,637,410 to Luke; 4,646,763 to Nichols; 4,655,736to Keith; 4,726,385 to Chumney, Jr.; 4,807,809 to Pryor et al.;5,025,814 to Raker; 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al.; and U.S. Pat. App.Publ. No. 2007/0169786 to Li et al.; each of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

Certain attempts have been made to alter the nature or character ofsmoke generated by cigarettes through the positioning of variouscomponents or component materials near the lighting ends or tip portionsof cigarettes. In one aspect, a cigarette having a paper wrapped tobaccorod may include ingredients (e.g., ammonium salts or tobaccos havingrelatively high ammonia levels) located at its tip portion thatcorresponds to its lighting end. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No.6,874,508 to Shafer et al. and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2005/0022829 toAtwell et al., which are incorporated herein by reference. Likewise,attempts have been made to alter the nature or character of smoke bypositioning components near the mouth end of cigarettes. See, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,366 to Starbuck et al., entitled,“Cigarette Having Heat Sink Means For Removing Impurities From CigaretteSmoke.”

In yet another regard, certain types of cigarettes, such as thosemarketed commercially under the brand names “Premier” and “Eclipse” byR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, have incorporated combustible fuelsources (e.g., carbonaceous fuel elements) that generate heat for theproduction of a smoke-like aerosol. See, for example, the types ofsmoking articles set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,365 to Sensabaugh etal.; 5,183,062 to Clearman et al.; 5,551,451 to Riggs et al.; 7,647,932to Cantrell et al.; and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. Nos. 2007/0215167 to Crookset al.; and 2007/0215168 to Banerjee et al.; each of which isincorporated herein by reference.

It would be desirable to provide a manner or method for providingalteration of the overall composition of mainstream aerosol generated bya cigarette.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to smoking articles, and in particular, togenerally rod-shaped smoking articles, such as cigarettes. Each smokingarticle comprises a lighting end or tip (i.e., an upstream end), and amouth end (i.e., a downstream end). In one regard, the smoking articlemay include an aerosol-generating system that includes (i) a heatgeneration segment (e.g., a short heat source comprising a combustiblematerial, such as a carbonaceous material) located at the upstream end,and (ii) an aerosol-generating region or segment located downstream fromthe heat generation segment. In another regard, the smoking article mayinclude smokable material (e.g., a roll of tobacco in cut filler form)wrapped in a circumscribing paper wrapper, thereby forming a tobaccorod.

The lighting end or tip of the smoking article is configured in such amanner that the entire front or upstream face thereof does not lie in aplane that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thesmoking article. For example, for a cylindrically-shaped smoking articlerod having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, the upstream face(i.e., the front face) of the smoking article can resemble an ellipse ingeneral appearance, and not resemble a circle, when viewed at an anglegenerally perpendicular to the nominal plane of the front face. In oneembodiment for example, the front face (i.e., exposed end surface) ofthe lighting end of the smoking article may lie along a front plane(e.g., a generally flat plane, such as can be provided by slicing orotherwise forming the lighting end of the smoking article in anessentially straight line) that is positioned at least about 30°, andoften at least about 40° relative to the longitudinal axis of thatsmoking article; and up to about 70°, and often up to about 60° relativeto the longitudinal axis of the smoking article.

Alternatively, the front face of the smoking article may lie along asomewhat curved plane (e.g., in a parabolic-type configuration, in aconvex or concave manner, where the side profile of the front face is apart of a parabolic-type contour), wherein the somewhat curved frontface nominally lies along a front plane that is at least about 30°, andoften at least about 40° relative to the longitudinal axis of thatsmoking article; and up to about 70°, and often up to about 60° relativeto the longitudinal axis of the smoking article. For certainembodiments, the front face can be configured so as to include arelatively flat form and appearance; however, if desired the front facecan be configured so as to have a somewhat rough or what might becharacterized as a serrated appearance.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a manner or methodfor altering the overall nature or character of the mainstream aerosolgenerated by a smoking article. As such, the chemical nature ofmainstream aerosol generated by a smoking article can be altered byproviding a lighting end or tip that does not entirely lie in a planethat is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of that smokingarticle.

Aspects of the present invention thus address the needs identified aboveand provide significant advantages as further discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn toscale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of asmoking article representative of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a smoking article of the type shown inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 through 7 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of severalembodiments of smoking articles representative of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of asmoking article representative of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a smoking article of the type shown inFIG. 8.

FIGS. 10 through 15 are longitudinal cross-sectional views of severalembodiments of smoking articles representative of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allaspects of the invention are shown. Indeed, the present invention may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided sothat this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a smoking article 10 in the form ofa cigarette and including certain representative components of a smokingarticle of the present invention. The cigarette 10 includes a generallycylindrical rod 12 of a charge or roll of smokable filler material 14contained in a circumscribing wrapping material 16. The rod 12 isconventionally referred to as a “tobacco rod.” Typical tobacco rods havemaximum lengths of about 45 mm to about 85 mm, often about 50 mm toabout 80 mm, and frequently about 55 mm to about 75 mm. The ends of thetobacco rod 12 are open to expose the smokable filler material. Thecigarette 10 is shown as having one optional band 22 (e.g., a printedcoating including a film-forming agent, such as starch, ethylcellulose,or sodium alginate) applied to the wrapping material 16, and that bandcircumscribes the cigarette rod in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette. That is, the band 22 provides across-directional region relative to the longitudinal axis of thecigarette. The band 22 can be printed on the inner surface of thewrapping material 16 (i.e., facing the smokable filler material), orless preferably, on the outer surface of the wrapping material. Althoughthe cigarette may include a wrapping material having one optional band,the cigarette also may include wrapping material having further optionalspaced bands numbering two, three, or more.

At one end of the tobacco rod 12 is the lighting end 18, and at themouth end 20 is positioned a filter element 26. The filter element 26 ispositioned adjacent one end of the tobacco rod 12 such that the filterelement and tobacco rod are axially aligned in an end-to-endrelationship, preferably abutting one another. The filter element 26 mayhave a generally cylindrical shape, and the diameter thereof may beessentially equal to the diameter of the tobacco rod. The ends of thefilter element 26 permit the passage of air and smoke therethrough. Thefilter element 26 is circumscribed along its outer circumference orlongitudinal periphery by a layer of outer plug wrap 28.

A ventilated or air diluted smoking article can be provided with anoptional air dilution means, such as a series of perforations 30, eachof which extend through the outer tipping material 32 and inner plugwrap 28. The optional perforations 30 can be made by various techniquesknown to those of ordinary skill in the art, such as laser perforationtechniques. Alternatively, so-called off-line air dilution techniquescan be used (e.g., through the use of porous paper plug wrap andpre-perforated tipping paper). For cigarettes that are air diluted orventilated, the amount or degree of air dilution or ventilation canvary. Frequently, the amount of air dilution for an air dilutedcigarette is greater than about 10 percent, generally is greater thanabout 20 percent, often is greater than about 30 percent, and sometimesis greater than about 40 percent. Typically, the upper level for airdilution for an air diluted cigarette is less than about 80 percent, andoften is less than about 70 percent. As used herein, the term “airdilution” is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the volume of airdrawn through the air dilution means to the total volume and air andsmoke drawn through the cigarette and exiting the extreme mouth endportion of the cigarette.

At the lighting end 18, the tobacco rod 12 has an extreme upstream face24 (also referred to as front face) that forms a single flat planar facethat entirely lies at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis 40 ofthe cigarette. That is, no portion of the upstream face lies on a planethat is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecigarette, such that the entire planar face extending across alldiameter lines of the distal lighting face 25 is disposed at anon-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of thecigarette. Otherwise stated as a literal description of FIG. 2, asingle, non-conical planar face 24 is disposed at a non-perpendicularangle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the smoking article,and the face 24 forms substantially the entire surface area of thelighting end. Typically, the front face of the tobacco rod will liealong a front plane (e.g., a generally flat plane, such as can beprovided by slicing or otherwise forming the lighting end of thecigarette in an essentially straight line) that is positioned at leastabout 30°, and often at least about 40° relative to the longitudinalaxis of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, and often up to about 60°relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. For example, thefront face of the tobacco rod lies along a front plane that ispositioned at an angle of about 40° to about 50° relative to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette; as opposed to an angle of about 90°for a traditional type of cigarette.

The flat planar face 24 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 isdistinguished from irregular, frustoconical, conical, or otherwisecurved end lighting surface/tips that may be formed, for example, inhand-rolled cigarettes. Specifically, in preferred embodiments of thepresent invention (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 3, 4, 10, and 11) anycurvature of the distal lighting face forms a curved planar face that isa section of a cylinder surface rather than a section of a cone surface,where an edge defining one side of the cylinder section is entirely moredistal and non-convergent with an edge defining an opposite side of thecylinder section surface. Additionally, in embodiments of the presentinvention, the planar end face (e.g., end face 24, end face 924/934)will comprise essentially non-wrapping material such as the distal faceof the tobacco rod, fuel element, or other non-paper/non-wrappingmaterial with the exception of a thin line of such material forming aboundary around the outer circumference of the end face (see, e.g.,FIGS. 2 and 9).

In certain embodiments, the upstream face 24 may have a planarconfiguration such that for a generally cylindrical tobacco rod having acircumference of about 17 mm to about 27 mm, most preferably about 22 mmto about 25 mm, one extreme tip 42 of the wrapping material extends atleast about 5 mm, often at least about 7 mm beyond the opposite extremetip 44 of that wrapping material on the opposite side (i.e., spaced180°) of the front face of that tobacco rod. optionally, the extreme tip42 of the wrapping material extends up to about 15 mm, often up to about13 mm beyond the opposite extreme tip 44 of that wrapping material onthe opposite side of that tobacco rod; as opposed to essentially nodifference in length of the opposite extreme tips for the wrappingmaterial of a traditional cigarette with a front face perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of a cigarette 10that is similar in many regards to the cigarette shown in FIG. 1, havingboth a lighting end 18 and mouth end 20. The lighting end 18 of thecigarette is shown having an upstream face 24 in a plane that is notperpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40 of the cigarette. As such, fora cylindrical tobacco rod having a generally circular cross-sectionalshape, the exposed face 24, or the lighting face, of that tobacco rodappears to have a shape that, when viewed perpendicularly to the planeof the front face, is generally elliptical in nature; as opposed to agenerally circular shaped exposed end for a traditional cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a cigarette 310 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1. However, rather thanforming an essentially flat plane, the front face 324 of the cigaretteis somewhat curved in nature (e.g., in a manner that might becharacterized as somewhat parabolic or otherwise non-linear in nature).As shown, the entire front face 324 of the cigarette rod is curved intowards the rod in a fashion that can be characterized as somewhatconcave in nature. The front face 324 of the cigarette is configurednominally along a plane 350 (such as the plane extending between thelongest extreme tip 342 and the opposite shortest extreme tip 344 of thecigarette) at least about 30°, and often at least about 40° relative tothe longitudinal axis 340 of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, andoften up to about 60° relative to the longitudinal axis 340 of thecigarette. For example, the front face 324 of the tobacco rod lies alonga front plane that nominally is positioned at an angle of about 40° toabout 50° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette; as opposedto an angle of about 90° for a traditional type of cigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 324 may have a concavely curvedconfiguration such that, for example, for a generally cylindricaltobacco rod having a circumference of about 17 mm to about 27 mm, mostpreferably about 22 mm to about 25 mm, one extreme tip 342 of thewrapping material extends at least about 5 mm, often at least about 7 mmbeyond the opposite extreme tip 344 of that wrapping material on theopposite side (i.e., spaced 180°) of the front face of that tobacco rod,while the extreme tip of the wrapping material extends up to about 15mm, often up to about 13 mm beyond the opposite extreme tip of thatwrapping material on the opposite side of the front face of that tobaccorod; as opposed to essentially no difference for the wrapping materialextreme tips of a traditional cigarette. As such, for a cylindricaltobacco rod having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, theexposed end, or the lighting face, of that tobacco rod appears to have ashape that, when viewed perpendicularly end on to the nominal plane 350,is generally elliptical in nature; as opposed to a generally circularshaped exposed end for a traditional cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a cigarette 410 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 310 shown in FIG. 3. However, for theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the entire front face 424 of the tobacco rod412 can be curved outwards from the rod in a fashion that can becharacterized as somewhat convex in nature. In other words, the frontface 424 has a convexly curved surface that extends outwardly beyond thenominal plane disposed between the longest extreme tip 442 of thewrapping material 416 and the opposite shortest extreme tip 444 of thewrapping material, where the nominal plane is not perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette 410. Preferably the nominal plane 450is at least 30°, or at least 40° from the longitudinal axis 440 of thecigarette and not more than 70°, not more than 60° or not more than 50°from the longitudinal axis 440 of the cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a cigarette 510 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1. However, rather thanthe entire front face of the cigarette forming a plane that is notperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette, a portion 536of the front face 524 of the cigarette lies in a plane that is virtuallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis 540 of the cigarette and aportion 534 of the front face 524 of the cigarette lies in a plane thatis not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 540 of the cigarette.Preferably the non-perpendicular portion 534 is contiguous with theperpendicular portion 536. However, the two portions 534 and 536 mayjoin at a border region 538. The border region 538 may variouslycomprise a sharp edge (as shown), a generally curved surface, or agenerally planar surface. Most preferably, the exposed surface area ofthe front face portion 534 of the cigarette that forms a plane generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette is less than theexposed surface area of the front face portion 524 that forms a planethat is not perpendicular (or angled) relative to the longitudinal axisof the cigarette. The angled front face 534 of the cigarette isconfigured nominally in a plane at least about 30°, and often at leastabout 40° relative to the longitudinal axis of that cigarette; and up toabout 70°, and often up to about 60° relative to the longitudinal axis540 of the cigarette. For example, a portion 534 of the front face 524of the tobacco rod lies along a front plane that nominally is positionedat an angle of about 40° to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis540 of the cigarette; as opposed to an angle of about 90° for the otherfront face portion 536 of that cigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 524 may have a multi-planar ormulti-faceted configuration such that, for example, for a generallycylindrical tobacco rod having a circumference of about 17 mm to about27 mm, most preferably about 22 mm to about 25 mm, one extreme tip 542of the wrapping material 516 extends at least about 3 mm, often at leastabout 5 mm, beyond the opposite extreme tip 544 of that wrappingmaterial on the opposite side (i.e., spaced 180°) of the front face 524of that tobacco rod. Preferably, the extreme tip 542 of the wrappingmaterial typically extends no more than about 15 mm, often no more thanabout 10 mm, beyond the opposite extreme tip 544 of that wrappingmaterial on the opposite side of the front face 524 of that tobacco rod.As such, for a cylindrical tobacco rod having a generally circularcross-sectional shape, the exposed end, or the lighting face 524, ofthat tobacco rod appears to have a shape, when viewed end on, that ispartially generally circular in nature and partially generallyelliptical in nature. Preferably, when viewed end on perpendicularly tothe plane formed from the angled front face 534, the exposed end 524appears composed of two sections of differently shaped ellipses.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a cigarette 610 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 510 shown in FIG. 5. However, the angledface 634, rather than forming an essentially flat plane, is somewhatcurved in nature. As shown, a portion 636 of the front face 624 isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette and a portion634 of front face 624 of the cigarette rod is curved in towards the rodin a fashion that can be characterized as somewhat concave in nature.Alternatively, for an embodiment not shown, that curved portion of thefront face of the cigarette rod can be curved outwards from the rod in afashion that can be characterized as somewhat convex in nature.Preferably the non-perpendicular portion 634 is contiguous with theperpendicular portion 636.

However, the two portions 634 and 636 may join at a border region 638.The border region 638 may variously comprise a sharp edge (as shown), agenerally curved surface, or a generally planar surface. Mostpreferably, the exposed area of the front face portion 636 of thecigarette that forms a plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis 640 of the cigarette is less than the exposed area of the frontface portion 634 that lies along a nominal plane that is notperpendicular (or angled) relative to the longitudinal axis 640 of thecigarette. The nominal plane 650 is that plane defined by (1) theshortest extreme tip 644 of the wrapping material, and (2) either thejunction between the curved portion 634 of the front face 624 and theperpendicular portion 636 of the front face, or where no junction isreadily discernable or present, then at the edge of the curved faceportion 634 farthest from the shortest extreme tip. The angled frontface 634 of the cigarette is configured nominally along a plane 650positioned at least about 30°, and often at least about 40° relative tothe longitudinal axis of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, and oftenup to about 60° relative to the longitudinal axis 640 of the cigarette.For example, the curved portion 634 of the front face of the tobacco rodlies along a plane that nominally is positioned at an angle of about 40°to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette; asopposed to an angle of about 90° for the other front face portion 636 ofthat cigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 624 may have a multi-surfacedconfiguration lying nominally along multiple different planes such that,for example, for a generally cylindrical tobacco rod having acircumference of about 17 mm to about 27 mm, most preferably about 22 mmto about 25 mm, one extreme tip 642 of the wrapping material extends atleast about 3 mm, often at least about 5 mm beyond the opposite extremetip 644 of that wrapping material on the opposite side (i.e., spaced180°) of the front face 624 of that tobacco rod. Preferably, the extremetip 642 of the wrapping material extends not more than about 15 mm,often not more than about 10 mm, beyond the opposite extreme tip 644 ofthat wrapping material on the opposite side of the front face 624 ofthat tobacco rod. As such, for a cylindrical tobacco rod having agenerally circular cross-sectional shape, the exposed end, or thelighting face, of that tobacco rod appears to have a shape, when viewedend on, that is partially generally circular in nature and partiallygenerally elliptical in nature. Preferably, when viewed end onperpendicularly to the nominal plane along which lies the curved frontface portion 634, the exposed end 624 appears composed of two sectionsof differently shaped ellipses that may be irregularly shaped dependingon the relative curvature of the front face portion 634.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a cigarette 710 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 10 shown in FIG. 1. However, for theembodiment shown in FIG. 7, the angled front face 724 can be configuredso as to include a somewhat rough, jagged or serrated appearance, asopposed to a relatively flat form and appearance. For example, theextreme lighting end 718 of the wrapping material 716 can have, ratherthan a smooth or straight cut appearance, an appearance at an edge 746when viewed cross-wise resembling that of a saw-toothed blade, a squarewave, a scalloped-type or wavy-type of appearance, a shredded-type ofappearance, or other type of roughened or serrated type of appearance.If desired, the various embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 3through 6 also can be configured so as to include a somewhat rough orserrated type of appearance at the extreme lighting end.

Alternatively, instead of cigarettes with tobacco rods composed entirelyof smokable tobacco cut filler, cigarettes of the type set forth U.S.Pat. No. 7,647,932 to Cantrell et al. can have smokable lighting endsegments that are modified in the manner set forth hereinbefore withreference to FIG. 1 through 7.

In use, cigarettes of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1through 7 can be used in the following manner. Typically, the smokerlights the lighting end of the cigarette using a match or flame-typecigarette lighter, for example, using the types of technique set forthin U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,508 to Shafer et al. Alternatively, the cigarettecan be lighted using an electric resistance element type of heatingdevice, such as an automobile cigarette lighter. If desired, thecigarette can be positioned relative to the flame of match or cigarettelighter so that the exposed smokable material of lighting end of thetobacco rod faces the flame. Alternatively, if desired, the cigarettecan be positioned relative to the flame of match or cigarette lighter sothat the exposed smokable material of lighting end of the tobacco roddoes not face the flame, but rather, the wrapping material of thetobacco rod near the lighting end of the cigarette faces the flame. Ifdesired, the exposed smokable material of the lighting end of thetobacco rod can be positioned during lighting to face downwards,upwards, or to one side; and in each such situation, the tip of theflame of the match or cigarette lighter can be positioned slightly belowthe extreme lighting end. After being lit, the cigarette can be smokedin an essentially normal fashion.

Referring to FIG. 8, a representative smoking article 810 in the form ofa cigarette is shown in a longitudinal cross-sectional view. Thatrepresentative cigarette 810 includes a heat generation segment 860located at the lighting end 818, a filter segment 826 located at themouth end 820, an aerosol-formation segment 870 located adjacent to theheat generation segment, and tobacco-containing segment 880 locatedadjacent to the filter segment 826. If desired, the tobacco-containingsegment 880 can be a multi-component segment that has been combined toform a single component piece. The compositions, formats, arrangementsand dimensions of the various segments of the smoking article 810 can begenerally similar to those incorporated within those cigarettescommercially marketed under the trade name “Eclipse” by R.J. ReynoldsTobacco Company. The tobacco-containing segment 155 may include tobaccoand/or tobacco flavor generating material 814 (e.g., tobacco cut filler,processed tobacco cut filler, strips of tobacco material, a gathered webof reconstituted tobacco material, or the like). That segment mayinclude a circumscribing wrapper 816, such as a paper wrapping material.See, also, those types of cigarette formats, configurations andcomponents set forth in U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2007/0215167 to Crookset al.

At the lighting end 818, the cigarette 810 may include at least oneouter layer of wrapping material 802 that overlies an insulation region804, that in turn overlies a fuel element 806 (e.g., a carbonaceous,combustible fuel element). See, for example, the types of fuel elementand lighting end components and configurations set forth in U.S. Pat.No. 5,065,776 to Lawson et al. and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2007/0215167to Crooks et al. Typically, a representative lighting end region 818 hasa length of at least about 10 mm, and often at least about 15 mm, butless than about 30 mm, often less than about 25 mm, frequently less thanabout 20 mm. The fuel element 806 has an extreme upstream face 834 thatforms a plane that lies at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis840 of the cigarette 810. That is, no portion of the upstream face ofthe cigarette lies on a plane that is essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Typically, the front face 824 of the tobacco rod lies along a frontplane (e.g., a generally flat plane or regular curved plane, such as canbe provided by slicing or otherwise forming the lighting region of thecigarette in an essentially straight line) that is positioned at leastabout 30°, and often at least about 40° relative to the longitudinalaxis 840 of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, and often up to about60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. For example, thefront flat planar face 824 of the tobacco rod lies along a front planethat is positioned at an angle of about 40° to about 50° relative to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Alternatively, the front face 824 may have a planar configuration suchthat for a generally cylindrical cigarette having a circumference ofabout 22 mm to about 25 mm, one extreme tip 842 of the wrapping material816 extends at least about 5 mm, often at least about 7 mm beyond theopposite extreme tip 844 of that wrapping material on the opposite side(i.e., spaced 180°) of the front face 824 of that cigarette rod.Preferably, the extreme tip 842 of the wrapping material extends notmore than about 15 mm, often not more than about 13 mm, beyond theopposite extreme tip 844 of that wrapping material on the opposite sideof the front face of that cigarette rod. As such, for a cylindricaltobacco rod having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, theexposed end, or the lighting face, of that cigarette rod (i.e., asprovided, for example, by wrapping materials, insulation and formed fuelelement) appears to have a shape that, when viewed perpendicularly tothe front face, is generally elliptical in nature.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown in perspective view a cigarette 910that is similar in many regards to the cigarette 810 shown in FIG. 8.The angled lighting end 918 of the cigarette is shown. As such, for acylindrical tobacco rod having a generally circular cross-sectionalshape, the exposed end 924, and particularly the exposed end 934 of thefuel element, of that tobacco rod appears to have a shape that, whenviewed perpendicularly to the plane of the front face 924, is generallyelliptical in nature; as opposed to a generally circular shaped exposedend for a traditional cigarette.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown a cigarette 1010 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 910 shown in FIG. 8. However, rather thanforming an essentially flat plane, the front face 1024 of the cigarette1010 is somewhat curved in nature. As shown in FIG. 10, the entire frontface 1024 of the cigarette rod 1010 is curved in towards the rod in afashion that can be characterized as somewhat concave in nature. Thefront face 1024 of the cigarette is configured nominally along a plane1050 at a position at least about 30°, and often at least about 40°relative to the longitudinal axis 1040 of that cigarette; and up toabout 70°, and often up to about 60° relative to the longitudinal axisof the cigarette. For example, the front face 1024 of the cigarette rodlies along a front plane 1050 that nominally is positioned at an angleof about 40° to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis 1040 of thecigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 1024 may have a concavely curvedconfiguration such that, for example, for a generally cylindricalcigarette rod having a circumference of about 22 mm to about 25 mm, oneextreme tip 1042 of the wrapping material 1016 extends at least about 5mm, often at least about 7 mm beyond the opposite extreme tip 1044 ofthat wrapping material on the opposite side (i.e., spaced 180°) of theupstream face 1024 of that cigarette rod. Preferably, the extreme tip1042 of the wrapping material extends up to about 15 mm, often up toabout 13 mm beyond the opposite extreme tip 1044 of that wrappingmaterial on the opposite side of the front face 1024 of that rod. Assuch, for a cylindrical cigarette rod having a generally circularcross-sectional shape, the exposed end, or the lighting face, of thatrod appears to have a shape that, when viewed perpendicularly end onthat nominal plane, appears generally elliptical in nature; as opposedto a generally circular shaped exposed end.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a cigarette 1110 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 1010 shown in FIG. 10. However, for thatembodiment, the entire front face 1124 of the cigarette rod can becurved outwards from the rod in a fashion that can be characterized assomewhat convex in nature.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a cigarette 1210 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 810 shown in FIG. 8. However, rather thanthe entire front face of the cigarette forming a plane that is notperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette, a portion 1036of the front face 1024 of the fuel element 1006 of the cigarette lies ina plane that is virtually perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1040 ofthe cigarette and a portion 1034 of the front face 1024 of the fuelelement 1006 lies in a plane that is not perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette. The angled front face 1034 of thecigarette is configured nominally in a plane at a position at leastabout 30°, and often at least about 40° relative to the longitudinalaxis of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, and often up to about 60°relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. For example, aportion 1034 of the front face of the fuel element lies along a frontplane that nominally is positioned at an angle of about 40° to about 50°relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 1024 may have a multi-planar ormulti-faceted configuration such that, for example, for a generallycylindrical cigarette rod having a circumference of about 22 mm to about25 mm, one extreme tip 1042 of the wrapping material 1016 extends atleast about 3 mm, often at least about 5 mm beyond the opposite extremetip 1044 of that wrapping material on the opposite side (i.e., spaced180°) of the front face of that tobacco rod. Preferably, the longerextreme tip 1042 of the wrapping material extends up to about 15 mm,often up to about 10 mm beyond the shorter extreme tip 1044 of thatwrapping material on the opposite side of the front face of thatcigarette rod. As such, for a cylindrical cigarette rod having agenerally circular cross-sectional shape, the exposed end, or thelighting face, of that cigarette rod (and in particular, the lightingface of the fuel element) appears to have a shape that, when viewedperpendicularly to the front face portions 1036 and 1034, is partiallygenerally circular in nature and partially generally elliptical innature, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a cigarette 1310 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 1210 shown in FIG. 12. However, the angledface, rather than forming an essentially flat plane, is somewhat curvedin nature. As shown in FIG. 13, a portion 1334 of front face 1324 of thecigarette rod is curved in towards the rod in a fashion that can becharacterized as somewhat concave in nature. However, for an embodimentnot shown, that concave portion of the front face of the cigarette rodcan alternatively be curved outwards from the rod in a fashion that canbe characterized as somewhat convex in nature. Most preferably, theexposed area of the front face portion 1336 of the cigarette that formsa plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1340 of thecigarette is less than the exposed area of the front face portion 1334that lies nominally along a plane 1350 that is not perpendicular (or isangled) relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. The angledfront face of the cigarette is configured nominally at a position atleast about 30°, and often at least about 40° relative to thelongitudinal axis 1340 of that cigarette; and up to about 70°, and oftenup to about 60° relative to the longitudinal axis of the cigarette. Forexample, the front face of the cigarette rod lies nominally along afront plane 1350 that is positioned at an angle of about 40° to about50° relative to the longitudinal axis 1340 of the cigarette.

Alternatively, the upstream face 1324 may have a multi-surfacedconfiguration lying nominally along multiple different planes such that,for example, for a generally cylindrical cigarette rod having acircumference of about 22 mm to about 25 mm, one extreme tip 1342 of thewrapping material extends at least about 3 mm, often at least about 5mm, beyond the opposite extreme tip 1344 of that wrapping material 1316on the opposite side (i.e., spaced 180°) of the front face 1324 of thatrod. Preferably the extreme tip 1342 of the wrapping material extends upto about 15 mm, often up to about 10 mm, beyond the opposite extreme tip1344 of that wrapping material on the opposite side of the front face1324 of that rod. As such, for a cylindrical cigarette rod having agenerally circular cross-sectional shape, the exposed end, or thelighting face, of that cigarette rod (and in particular, the lightingface of the fuel element) appears to have a shape that, when viewedperpendicularly to the front face portions 1334 and 1336, is partiallygenerally elliptical in nature and partially generally circular innature, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a cigarette 1410 that is similar inmany regards to the cigarette 810 shown in FIG. 8. However, for theembodiment of FIG. 14, the front face 1424 can be configured so as toinclude a somewhat rough, jagged or serrated appearance, as opposed to arelatively flat form and appearance. For example, the edge 1446 of theextreme lighting end 1418 of the wrapping material can have, rather thana smooth or straight cut appearance, an appearance resembling that of asaw-toothed blade, a square wave, a scalloped-type or wavy-type ofappearance, a shredded-type of appearance, or other type of roughened orserrated type of appearance. If desired, the various embodimentsdescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 through 13 also can be configuredso as to include a somewhat rough or serrated type of appearance at theextreme lighting end. Of particular interest for such an embodiment arecigarettes including fuel elements that may include outwardly facingextreme lighting end surfaces that are rough or textured in nature,rather than smooth.

Yet another type of alternate embodiment of a cigarette of the presentinvention incorporates a cigarette rod including an angled lighting end,such as the type set forth previously with reference to FIGS. 1 through7. Referring now to FIG. 15, the mouth end 1520° pposite the lightingend 1518 of the tobacco rod 1512 of a cigarette 1510 also can beconfigured so as to include an angled end face 1546 (i.e., rather thanan end face that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the cigarette). Preferably, both of the angled end faces 1524 and1546 are positioned at essentially identical angles relative to thelongitudinal axis 1540 of the cigarette (e.g., each of the twoessentially flat faces is angled at about 45° relative to thelongitudinal axis of that cigarette). For such an embodiment, it ispreferable that the filter element 1526 have an angled front face 1548that cooperates with the mouth end face 1546 of the tobacco rod (e.g.,the front face of the filter element is essentially parallel to, and isin an essentially abutting relationship with respect to, the back faceof the tobacco rod). Tipping material 1532 circumscribing the filterelement 1526 and an adjacent region 1562 of the tobacco rod 1512 isemployed to attach the tobacco rod to the filter element.

For such an embodiment as depicted in FIG. 15, a plurality of tobaccorods, each being similarly angled at both ends, can be manufacturedusing conventional types of automated cigarette rod manufacturingequipment (e.g., using cutting knives or rotary cutting wheels that areadapted, such as by being positioned at desired angles, to slice acontinuous tobacco rod into tobacco rod segments of the desired lengths,and having front and back end faces that are angled and notperpendicular to their respective longitudinal axes). Preferably, thetobacco rod may have different densities along its length such that itis dense ended or packed more densely along locations corresponding towhere the angle cut is to be made. Equipment and methods for creatingregions of dense tobacco packing in tobacco rods are described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,708,695 to Fagg et al., which is incorporated herein byreference.

For example, the dense packing of the tobacco is created at the rodforming garniture using a pocketed wheel, and then the cutting bladesare synchronized to cut the continuous tobacco rod at the region ofhigher tobacco loading density. Each cut tobacco rod then can beattached to a filter element. For example, a so-called “two-up” filterelement may be made with each end sliced at a desired angle (e.g., bybeing manufactured in a traditional type of manner, and using cuttingknives or rotary cutting wheels that are adapted to slice a continuousfilter rod into two-up segments, and having front and back faces thatare angled and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the thatfilter segment).

Suitable modifications to conventional cigarette tipping machines can bemade to align the abutting angled faces of the tobacco rod and filtersegment. A tobacco rod may be aligned at each end of the “two-up” filtersegment, and the three segments are tipped to provide a “two-up”cigarette. Then, that “two-up” cigarette is sliced in half, preferablyessentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of that cigarette, orat any other desired angle, to provide two finished cigarettes. Asdepicted in FIG. 15, air holes 1530 may be perforated around the filterelement, as in conventional cigarettes. Instead of locating air holes1530 completely around the filter element, the air holes 1564 may beperforated in a ring around the juncture of the angled faces 1546 and1548 of the tobacco rod 1512 and the filter element 1526, respectively,such that some of the air holes in the ring are in direct communicationwith the tobacco filler material and other air holes in the ring are incommunication with the filter element.

In use, cigarettes of the type described with reference to FIGS. 8through 14 can be used in the following manner. Typically, the smokerlights the lighting end of the cigarette using a match or flame-typecigarette lighter, for example, using the techniques used to lightcigarettes commercially marketed under the trade name “Eclipse” by R.J.Reynolds Tobacco Company. Alternatively, the cigarettes can be lightedusing an electric resistance element type of heating device, such as anautomobile cigarette lighter. If desired, the cigarette can bepositioned relative to the flame of match or cigarette lighter so thatthe exposed lighting end segment of the cigarette rod faces the flame.Alternatively, if desired, the cigarette can be positioned relative tothe flame of match or cigarette lighter so that the exposed lighting endsegment of the cigarette rod does not face the flame, but rather, thewrapping material of the cigarette rod near the lighting end of thecigarette faces the flame. If desired, the exposed lighting end segmentof the cigarette can be positioned during lighting to face downwards,upwards, or to one side; and in each such situation, the tip of theflame of the match or cigarette lighter can be positioned slightly belowthe extreme lighting end. After being lit, the cigarette can be smokedin an essentially normal fashion.

Representative types of tobacco rods may be manufactured using acigarette making machine, such as a conventional automated cigarette rodmaking machine. Exemplary cigarette rod making machines are of the typecommercially available from Molins PLC or Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG.For example, cigarette rod making machines of the type known as MkX(commercially available from Molins PLC) or PROTOS (commerciallyavailable from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG) can be employed. Adescription of a PROTOS cigarette making machine is provided in U.S.Pat. No. 4,474,190 to Brand, at col. 5, line 48 through col. 8, line 3,which is incorporated herein by reference. Types of equipment suitablefor the manufacture of cigarettes also are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,781,203 to La Hue; 4,844,100 to Holznagel; 5,156,169 to Holmes et al.;5,191,906 to Myracle, Jr. et al.; 6,647,870 to Blau et al.; 6,848,449 toKitao et al.; 6,904,917 to Kitao et al.; 7,210,486 to Hartman; 7,275,548to Hancock et al.; 7,281,540 to Barnes et al.; and 7,234,471 toFitzgerald et al.; each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The components and operation of conventional automated cigarette makingmachines will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art ofcigarette making machinery design and operation. For example,descriptions of the components and operation of several types ofchimneys, tobacco filler supply equipment, suction conveyor systems andgarniture systems are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,288,147 to Molins etal.; 3,915,176 to Heitmann et al; 4,291,713 to Frank; 4,574,816 toRudszinat; 4,736,754 to Heitmann et al.; 4,878,506 to Pinck et al.;5,060,665 to Heitmann; 5,012,823 to Keritsis et al. and 6,360,751 toFagg et al.; and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2003/0136419 to Muller; eachof which is incorporated herein by reference. The automated cigarettemaking machines of the type set forth herein provide a formed continuouscigarette rod or smokable rod that can be subdivided into formedsmokable rods of desired lengths.

Cigarette rods manufactured in a variety of manners using known types ofautomated cigarette making techniques can be provided with lighting endsthat are not entirely perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof.For example, conventional cigarettes (e.g., filter cigarettes) can bemanufactured, and then aligned in a desired position, and a knife, razorblade, circular cutting wheel, or the like, can be used to slice thelighting end of each cigarette at an angle to provide cigarettes havingangled lighting ends. In such a manner, cigarettes can be cut to thedesired configuration individually or as part of a plurality orcollection of cigarettes. In one embodiment, a layer or several layersof finished cigarettes can be aligned on a moving conveyor belt, orother suitable means, such that relevant portions of the lighting endsof those cigarettes extend from the belt within a cutting zone, andthose cigarettes are aligned so as to be non-perpendicular to the axisof movement of the conveyor belt; such that a cutting wheel can beconfigured essentially perpendicular to the axis of movement of theconveyor belt so as to slice off the ends of the cigarette rods of thosefinished cigarettes, and hence provide a plurality of cigarettes eachhaving angled ends or partially angled ends.

Alternatively, cigarette rods can be manufactured and have ends that arecut in the desired manner (e.g., so as to have ends that are notentirely perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each cigarette) usingappropriately positioned rotating rod cutting wheels. Those rods thencan be combined with filter elements using tipping materials, usingtraditional types of filter cigarette manufacturing techniques.Alternatively, so-called “two-up” cigarette rods of tobacco surroundedby wrapping material may be cut or otherwise subdivided at an angle thatis not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of each “two-up” segment,so as to simultaneously provide two cigarette rods that each have angledends. Such a manner or method is particularly desirable for providingtwo cigarette rods that each have ends angled at 45° relative to thelongitudinal axis of each segment. Those segments then can be combinedwith other components, such as, for example, filter elements.

Cigarettes also can be manufactured using the types of equipment andmethods set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,597,105 to Barnes et al. and7,565,818 to Thomas et al., and U.S. Pat. App. Pub No. 2007/0006888 toHicks et al., which are each incorporated herein by reference. In such aregard, for example with reference to the devices shown at FIGS. 12 and13 of these applications, formed cigarettes can be positioned in acartridge or other device for aligning and positioning those cigarettes,and the cartridge or aligned device can be adapted so that thosecigarettes are positioned at a desired angle with respect to a cuttingdevice aligned in a normal position as depicted.

Alternatively, the cutting device support may be positioned or tilted ata desired angle with respect to the cartridge having cigarettes alignedin a normal position as depicted. As a result, a circular cutting wheel,or other cutting device, can be used to trim the lighting ends of thosecigarettes such that those cigarettes each have angled ends (i.e., endsthat are not essentially entirely perpendicular to the longitudinallyaxis of each cigarette).

Cigarettes, and the components thereof, also can be of the type setforth in U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al. In sucha regard, lighting end segments or cigarettes incorporating thoselighting end segments can be cut, sliced or formed in the desiredmanner. Alternatively, so-called “two-up” lighting end segments can becut or otherwise subdivided at an angle that is not perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of each “two-up” segment, so as to provide twolighting end segments that each have angled ends. Such a manner ormethod is particularly desirable for providing lighting end segmentsthat each have ends angled at 45° relative to the longitudinal axis ofeach segment. Those segments so formed then can be combined with othercomponents of those types of smoking articles. Alternatively, finishedcigarettes can have their ends cut, sliced, or otherwise formed into thedesired shape or configuration.

Accordingly, those of skill in the art will appreciate that, in oneaspect, embodiments of the present invention may include a method ofsimultaneously forming at least two or more smoking articles, eachincorporating a configured lighting end including a planar face that isoriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axisof the smoking article in keeping with the present invention, saidmethod including a step of providing substantially cylindrical smokingarticles and substantially simultaneously, or sequentially, cuttingtheir lighting ends to form at least one planar face according to thepresent invention. In another aspect, an embodiment of the presentinvention may include a package comprising at least two, preferablyabout 10 to about 20 smoking articles, each incorporating a configuredlighting end including a planar face that is oriented at anon-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the smokingarticle in keeping with the present invention.

In a further aspect, an embodiment of the present invention may includea package comprising a plurality of multi-packs, where each of saidmulti-packs is configured as a generally closed package containing aplurality of smoking articles, each incorporating a configured lightingend including a planar face that is oriented at a non-perpendicularangle relative to the longitudinal axis of the smoking article inkeeping with the present invention. Given the description above oftwo-up (or more) manufacturing, simultaneously forming multiple smokingarticles having a configured lighting end, those of skill in the artwill appreciate that the present invention encompasses a multi-pack ofsuch smoking articles, and a carton or other container or packagecontaining two or more multi-packs, each containing a plurality ofsmoking articles.

Various types of cigarette components, including tobacco types, tobaccoblends, top dressing and casing materials, blend packing densities andtypes of paper wrapping materials for cigarette rods can be employed.See, for example, the various representative types of cigarettecomponents, as well as the various cigarette designs, formats,configurations and characteristics, that are set forth in Johnson,Development of Cigarette Components to Meet Industry Needs, 52^(nd)T.S.R.C. (September, 1998); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,101,839 to Jakob et al.;5,159,944 to Arzonico et al.; 5,220,930 to Gentry; 6,779,530 to Kraker;7,237,559 to Ashcraft et al.; and 7,565,818 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Pat.App. Publ. Nos. 2005/0066986 to Nestor et al.; 2007/0246055 to Oglesbyand 2008/0245377 to Marshall et al.; each of which is incorporatedherein by reference. Most preferably, the entire smokable rod iscomposed of smokable material (e.g., tobacco cut filler) and a layer ofcircumscribing outer wrapping material.

Components for filter elements for filtered cigarettes typically areprovided from filter rods that are produced using traditional types ofrod-forming units, such as those available as KDF-2 and KDF-3E fromHauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. Typically, filter material, such as filtertow, is provided using a tow processing unit. An exemplary towprocessing unit has been commercially available as E-60 supplied byArjay Equipment Corp., Winston-Salem, N.C. other exemplary towprocessing units have been commercially available as AF-2, AF-3, andAF-4 from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. In addition, representativemanners and methods for operating a filter material supply units andfilter-making units are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,281,671 to Byrne;4,862,905 to Green, Jr. et al.; 5,060,664 to Siems et al.; 5,387,285 toRivers; and 7,074,170 to Lanier, Jr. et al. Other types of technologiesfor supplying filter materials to a filter rod-forming unit are setforth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,809 to Pryor et al. and 5,025,814 toRaker; which are incorporated herein by reference.

The plug wrap can vary. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,719 toMartin. Typically, the plug wrap is a porous or non-porous papermaterial. Suitable plug wrap materials are commercially available.Exemplary plug wrap papers ranging in porosity from about 1,100 CORESTAunits to about 26,000 CORESTA units are available fromSchweitzer-Mauduit International as Porowrap 17-M1, 33-M1, 45-M1, 70-M9,95-M9, 150-M4, 150-M9, 240M9S, 260-M4 and 260-M4T; and fromMiquel-y-Costas as 22HP90 and 22HP150. Non-porous plug wrap materialstypically exhibit porosities of less than about 40 CORESTA units, andoften less than about 20 CORESTA units. Exemplary non-porous plug wrappapers are available from Olsany Facility (OP Paprina) of the CzechRepublic as PW646; Wattenspapier of Austria as FY/33060; Miquel-y-Costasof Spain as 646; and Schweitzer-Mauduit International as MR650 and 180.Plug wrap paper can be coated, particularly on the surface that facesthe filter material, with a layer of a film-forming material. Such acoating can be provided using a suitable polymeric film-forming agent(e.g., ethylcellulose, ethylcellulose mixed with calcium carbonate,nitrocellulose, nitrocellulose mixed with calcium carbonate, or aso-called lip release coating composition of the type commonly employedfor cigarette manufacture). Alternatively, a plastic film (e.g., apolypropylene film) can be used as a plug wrap material. For example,non-porous polypropylene materials that are available as ZNA-20 andZNA-25 from Treofan Germany GmbH & Co. KG can be employed as plug wrapmaterials.

Cigarette filter rods can be used to provide multi-segment filter rods.Such multi-segment filter rods then can be employed for the productionof filtered cigarettes including multi-segment filter elements. Anexample of a two-segment filter element is a filter element including afirst cylindrical segment incorporating activated charcoal particlesdispersed within cellulose acetate tow (e.g., a “dalmatian” type offilter segment) at one end, and a second cylindrical segment that isproduced from a filter rod produced essentially of flavored, plasticizedcellulose acetate tow filter material at the other end. The productionof multi-segment filter rods can be carried out using the types ofrod-forming units that traditionally have been employed to providemulti-segment cigarette filter components. Multi-segment cigarettefilter rods can be manufactured using a cigarette filter rod makingdevice available under the brand name Mulfi from Hauni-Werke Korber &Co. KG of Hamburg, Germany. Representative types of filter designs andcomponents, including representative types of segmented cigarettefilters, are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,920,990 to Lawrence et al.;5,012,829 to Thesing et al.; 5,025,814 to Raker; 5,074,320 to Jones etal.; 5,105,838 to White et al.; 5,271,419 to Arzonico et al.; 5,360,023to Blakley et al.; 5,396,909 to Gentry et al.; 5,718,250 to Banerjee etal; 6,761,174 to Jupe et al.; 2004/0261807 to Dube et al.; and 7,240,678to Crooks et al.; and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No. 2007/0056600 to ColemanIII, et al.; and PCT Publ. Nos. WO 03/009711 to Kim and WO 03/047836 toXue et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.

The length of the filter element of each cigarette can vary. Typically,the overall length of a filter element is about 20 mm to about 40 mm,and often about 25 mm to about 35 mm. For a typical dual-segment filterelement, the downstream or mouth end filter segment often has a lengthof about 10 mm to about 20 mm; and the upstream or tobacco rod endfilter segment often has a length of about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

Filter elements, or filter segment components of combination filters,typically are provided from filter rods that are manufactured usingtraditional types of cigarette filter rod making techniques. Forexample, so-called “six-up” filter rods, “four-up” filter rods and“two-up” filter rods that are of the general format and configurationconventionally used for the manufacture of filtered cigarettes can behandled using conventional-type or suitably modified cigarette rodhandling devices, such as tipping devices available as Lab MAX, MAX, MAXS or MAX 80 from Hauni-Werke Korber & Co. KG. See, for example, thetypes of devices set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,308,600 to Erdmann etal.; 4,281,670 to Heitmann et al.; 4,280,187 to Reuland et al.;4,850,301 to Greene, Jr. et al.; 6,229,115 to Vos et al.; 7,434,585 toHolmes; and 7,296,578 to Read, Jr.; and U.S. Pat. App. Publ. No.2006/0169295 to Draghetti, each of which is incorporated herein byreference. The operation of those types of devices will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art of automated cigarette manufacture.

The tipping material can vary. Typical tipping materials are papersexhibiting relatively high opacities. Representative tipping materialshave TAPPI opacities of greater than about 81 percent, often in therange of about 84 percent to about 90 percent, and sometimes greaterthan about 90 percent. Typical tipping materials are printed with inks,typically nitrocellulose based, which can provide for a wide variety ofappearances and “lip release” properties. Representative tipping papersmaterials have basis weights ranging from about 25 m/m² to about 60g/m², often about 30 g/m² to about 40 g/m². Representative tippingpapers are available as Tervakoski Reference Nos. 3121, 3124, TK 652,TK674, TK675, A360 and A362; and Schweitzer-Mauduit InternationalReference Nos. GSR270 and GSR265M2. See also, for example, the types oftipping materials, the methods for combining cigarette components usingtipping materials, and techniques for wrapping various portions ofcigarettes using tipping materials, that are set forth in U.S. Pat. App.Publ. No. 2007/0215167 to Crooks et al.

The following examples are provided in order to further illustrate thepresent invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scopethereof.

Example 1

Filter cigarettes that are manufactured using automated cigarette makingmachine technology are provided. Those cigarettes incorporate tobaccorods composed of an “American blend” of tobaccos in cut filler form. Thetobacco cut filler is cased and flavored. The tobacco rods include anouter layer of paper wrapping material that circumscribes the tobaccocut filler such that each end of the cylindrical rods so formed is opento expose the tobacco within that rod. Each tobacco rod has a length ofabout 57 mm and a circumference of about 25 mm. Each cigarette includesa filter element composed of cellulose acetate plasticized usingtriacetin, and the length of each filter element is about 27 mm. Thetipping paper that connects each filter element to each tobacco rodcircumscribes the length of each filter element and about 4 mm of theadjacent region of the tobacco rod. A circumscribing ring of laserperforations through the tipping material and plug wrap of eachcigarette provides cigarettes that are air diluted. A razor blade orscissors is used to cut a portion of the tobacco rod from certaincigarettes at the extreme lighting ends of those cigarettes. Thecigarettes have the general appearance of the cigarette describedpreviously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The angled straight cut atthe lighting end of each tobacco rod is at about 45° relative to thelongitudinal axis of each cigarette. For those cigarettes having angledlighting ends, no further treatment of those cigarette ends is provided(i.e., no chemical additives are added to the exposed end of thecigarette or to the wrapping material of the tobacco rod in the lightingregion of the cigarette). However, if desired, the cigarettes may beheld upright, filter end down, and tapped lightly several times on atable or counter top, in order to provide for some compaction of thetobacco cut filler within the tobacco rod; or tobacco cut filler at thelighting end of the cigarette can be pressed lightly into the tobaccorod, in a type of “dense ending” fashion.

Such cigarettes are provided and comparison cigarettes (i.e., acomparable cigarette not having a lighting end segment cut therefrom,and hence having a lighting end that is essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette rather than angled end) each aresmoked under FTC smoking conditions. The cigarettes are lit using anelectrical resistance heating unit.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the lighting puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 0.49 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.035 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 0.32 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the lighting puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.97 mg, anicotine yield of 0.065 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 1.33 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the second puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 1.25 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.098 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 1.1 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the second puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 1.1 mg, a nicotineyield of 0.093 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 1.04 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the third puff exhibits a “tar”yield of 1.43 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.118 mg, and a carbon monoxideyield of 1.19 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having the angledend, the third puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 1.28 mg, a nicotine yieldof 0.110 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 1.12 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the fourth puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 1.52 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.126 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 1.13 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the fourth puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 1.46 mg, anicotine yield of 0.112 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 1.18 mg.

The results demonstrate that the smoke yield and composition (i.e.,smoke chemistry) of an early puff (e.g., the lighting puff) of acigarette can be altered relative to a cigarette of traditionalconfiguration by altering the configuration of the lighting end of acigarette.

Example 2

Cigarettes marketed under the trade name “Eclipse” by R.J. ReynoldsTobacco Company are obtained. A razor blade is used to slice away aportion of the lighting end of each cigarette, and as such, cigarettesof the type described previously with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 areprovided. The angled straight cut of each lighting end is at about 45°relative to the longitudinal axis of each cigarette, and as such, theentire lighting end of the carbonaceous fuel element is angled at about45° relative to the longitudinal axis of each cigarette. For thosecigarettes having angled lighting ends, no further treatment of thosecigarette ends is provided (i.e., no chemical additives are added to theexposed end of the cigarette or to the wrapping material of the tobaccorod in the lighting region of the cigarette).

Such cigarettes are provided and comparison cigarettes (i.e., acomparable cigarette not having a lighting end segment cut therefrom,and hence having a lighting end that is essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the cigarette rather than angled end) each aresmoked under FTC smoking conditions. The cigarettes are lit using anelectrical resistance heating unit.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the lighting puff exhibits a“tar” yield that is negligible, a nicotine yield that is negligible, anda carbon monoxide yield of 0.42 mg. For the traditional cigarette nothaving the angled end, the lighting puff exhibits a “tar” yield that isnegligible, a nicotine yield that is negligible, and a carbon monoxideyield of 1.10 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the second puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 0.49 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.013 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 0.27 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the second puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.67 mg, anicotine yield of 0.018 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.45 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the third puff exhibits a “tar”yield of 0.66 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.027 mg, and a carbon monoxideyield of 0.33 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having the angledend, the third puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.80 mg, a nicotine yieldof 0.034 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.47 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the fourth puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 0.66 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.030 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 0.32 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the fourth puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.83 mg, anicotine yield of 0.036 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.46 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the fifth puff exhibits a “tar”yield of 0.63 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.026 mg, and a carbon monoxideyield of 0.28 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having the angledend, the fifth puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.85 mg, a nicotine yieldof 0.033 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.47 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the sixth puff exhibits a “tar”yield of 0.42 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.017 mg, and a carbon monoxideyield of 0.21 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having the angledend, the sixth puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.72 mg, a nicotine yieldof 0.027 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.40 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the seventh puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 0.17 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.009 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 0.14 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the seventh puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.43 mg, anicotine yield of 0.018 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.29 mg.

For the cigarette having the angled end, the eighth puff exhibits a“tar” yield of 0.06 mg, a nicotine yield of 0.004 mg, and a carbonmonoxide yield of 0.095 mg. For the traditional cigarette not having theangled end, the eighth puff exhibits a “tar” yield of 0.23 mg, anicotine yield of 0.011 mg, and a carbon monoxide yield of 0.19 mg.

The results illustrate that the smoke yield and composition (i.e., smokechemistry) of the lighting puff and early puffs of a cigarette can bealtered relative to a cigarette of traditional configuration by alteringthe configuration of the lighting end of a cigarette. The smokeconstituents identified in the examples are tar, nicotine and carbonmonoxide. Substantial reduction of all three smoke constituents isobtained at differing puffs. No chemical treatment of the lighting endof the smoking article is required to obtain smoke constituentreduction. No chemical or mechanical attenuator is required to be addedinto the cigarette rod to obtain smoke constituent reduction, however,chemical treatment or physical attenuator components that supplementsmoke constituent reduction may be used.

Accordingly, it is preferred to have the lighting end of the smokingarticle configured to have an exposed end surface in fashioned inmanners as described above such that the surface area of the exposed endsurface is sufficiently greater than the cross-sectional area of thesmoking article to reduce the quantity of one or more smokeconstituents, such as tar, nicotine or carbon monoxide, by at least 20%averaged over one or more puffs, preferably including the initial puff,and more preferably over a sequence of at least four sequential puffs,of the smoking article compared to a smoking article of the samecomposition have an exposed end surface in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the smoking article. Preferably, the reduction ofone or more smoke constituents is at least 25%, more preferably at least30%.

Many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mindto one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having thebenefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description; and itwill be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations andmodifications of the present invention can be made without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the invention is not to be limited to the specificaspects disclosed and that modifications and other aspects are intendedto be included within the scope of the appended claims. Althoughspecific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1. A smoking article embodied as a cigarette, which comprises anelongated cylindrical shape with a longitudinal axis, a lighting end anda mouth end, the lighting end configured with a first exposed endsurface comprising a single, non-conical planar face disposed at anon-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the smokingarticle.
 2. The smoking article of claim 1 wherein the end surfaceplanar face is disposed at an angle between about 30 and about 60degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.
 3. A method for makingsmoking articles according to claim 1 comprising providing a pluralityof substantially cylindrical smoking articles and cutting the lightingends of said substantially cylindrical smoking articles to form in eachthe single planar face.
 4. A package of smoking articles comprising aplurality of smoking articles according to claim
 1. 5. A method formaking a package according to claim 4 comprising a step of combining aplurality of the smoking articles of claim 1 into a single package. 6.The smoking article of claim 1 wherein the first exposed end surfacecomprises an elliptical shaped face.
 7. The smoking article of claim 1wherein the first exposed end surface comprises includes a partialcylinder-surface.
 8. The smoking article of claim 1 wherein the firstexposed end surface comprises a side view profile comprising a portionof a parabolic shape.
 9. The smoking article of claim 1 furthercomprising a tobacco rod of tobacco material wrapped in paper, and thenon-conical end surface plane comprises substantially the entire surfacearea of the lighting end.
 10. The smoking article of claim 9 wherein thefirst exposed end surface plane comprises a plane connecting the longestextreme tip of the wrapping paper at the lighting end and the shortestextreme tip of the wrapping paper at the lighting end.
 11. The smokingarticle of claim 10 wherein the longest extreme tip extends between 5 mmand 15 mm beyond the shortest extreme tip.
 12. A smoking article havinga longitudinal axis, and having a lighting end and a mouth end, thesmoking article comprising an aerosol-generating system that includes(i) a heat generation segment located near the lighting end, and (ii) anaerosol-generating region or segment located between the mouth end andthe heat generation segment, and further comprising a lighting endconfigured with an exposed end surface forming a single, non-conicalplanar face disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relative to thelongitudinal axis of the smoking article.
 13. The smoking article ofclaim 12 wherein the end surface plane is disposed at an angle betweenabout 30 and about 60 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis.
 14. Amethod for making smoking articles according to claim 12 comprisingproviding a plurality of substantially cylindrical smoking articlescomprising the aerosol-generating system and cutting the lighting endsof said substantially cylindrical smoking articles to form in each thesingle flat plane.
 15. A package of smoking articles comprising aplurality of smoking articles according to claim
 12. 16. A method formaking a package according to claim 15 comprising a step of combining aplurality of the smoking articles of claim 12 into a single package 17.The smoking article of claim 12 wherein the first exposed end surfacehas an elliptical shape.
 18. The smoking article of claim 12 wherein thefirst exposed end surface includes a partial cylinder-surface shape. 19.The smoking article of claim 12 wherein the first exposed end surfacehas a side view profile comprising a portion of a parabolic curve shape.20. The smoking article of claim 12 wherein the non-conical planar faceof the smoking article comprises substantially the entire surface areaof the lighting end.
 21. The smoking article of claim 20 wherein thefirst exposed end surface plane comprises a plane connecting the longestextreme tip of the smoking article at the lighting end and the shortestextreme tip of the smoking article at the lighting end.
 22. The smokingarticle of claim 21 wherein the longest extreme tip extends between 5 mmand 15 mm beyond the shortest extreme tip.
 23. The smoking article ofclaim 12 wherein the heat generation segment comprises a fuel element,and the exposed end surface of the fuel element comprises a single,non-conical planar face disposed at a non-perpendicular angle relativethe longitudinal axis of the smoking article.
 24. A smoking articlehaving a cylindrical shape with a central longitudinal axis, a lightingend and a mouth end, the lighting end configured with an exposed endsurface comprising a single planar face disposed at a non-perpendicularangle relative to the longitudinal axis having a surface areasufficiently greater than a cross-sectional area of the smoking articlealong a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such thatat least one smoke constituent selected from the group consisting oftar, nicotine and carbon monoxide is reduced by at least 20% on averageover a sequence of at least 4 puffs of the smoking article smoked underFTC smoking conditions compared to a smoking article of identicalcomposition having an exposed end surface in a plane perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis.
 25. The smoking article of claim 24 wherein thesmoke constituent reduction is at least 30% on average.